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Domestic Abuse law to change following Mothers’ Union campaign

Mothers’ Union, which represents over four million members worldwide, has welcomed today’s announcement by Prime Minister Theresa May that current legislation governing domestic abuse in England and Wales is to be overhauled.

In November, Mothers’ Union submitted a petition signed by 4,500 of its members and supporters to Downing Street, calling for changes to the statutory Child Maintenance Service, so that survivors of domestic abuse are not forced to re-engage with their former partner, often the perpetrator of the violence against them.

Mothers’ Union is campaigning for survivors to be exempt from the 'collect and pay' charges imposed for using the statutory Child Maintenance Service, as they may have no other option to receive or make payments for their children without further risk of control, abuse or violence.

Bev Jullien, CEO of Mothers’ Union, said, “We very much welcome today's announcement, and trust that the issue of safe access to child maintenance payments for sufferers of domestic violence will be addressed. Currently, one in three applicants to the child maintenance service have experienced domestic abuse and we strongly urge that the government puts the safety and welfare of the survivors of domestic abuse at the core of its proposals for change.